Terms of Use

Terms of Use

Please read the Terms of Use carefully. If you agree to the Terms of Use you may register and use the TRIBE website. If you do not wish to be bound by the Terms of Use, you are not permitted to register for or use the services on this website.

Services provided on this website, titled “TRIBE”, are provided by Swinburne University of Technology ("Swinburne"), through the National eTherapy Centre (NeTC).

1 Acceptance of Terms of Use and Amendments

Each time you use or cause access to this website, you agree to be bound by the site's Terms of Use. In addition, if you are using a particular service on or through this website, you will also be subject to any rules or guidelines applicable to that service.

2 Services

2.1 Website Contents

The TRIBE website consists of self-help online resources designed to assist in improving your symptoms and quality of life. The resources consist of videos of real people sharing their experiences, exercises, tools, images and audio.

TRIBE is provided free of charge. You will have access to the website for 3 weeks.

2.2 Limitations of Services

Whilst there are benefits to mental health services being available online, it is also acknowledged that there are limitations to the services provided on the TRIBE website. The services available on the TRIBE website are not intended to replace medication or traditional forms of face-to-face psychotherapy. Therefore, if at any time you believe that the TRIBE website services do not meet or address your needs, or give rise to other concerns about your health, you are advised to seek the services of an appropriate health care professional.

The services on the TRIBE website will not be appropriate if:

• you are in a crisis situation;

• your personal safety is an issue;

• you require specialist medical treatment.

In all of these cases, you should seek the services of an appropriate health care professional immediately.

2.3 Services Provided in Australia

The services on the TRIBE website are provided in accordance with Australian laws and health practice standards. You acknowledge and accept that the services may not comply with the laws and standards that apply in the jurisdiction in which you receive the services.

2.4 International Use

You agree to comply with all applicable laws regarding the transmission of technical data exported from the country the Services are hosted from or the country in which you reside (if different) and with all local laws and rules regarding acceptable use of and conduct on the Internet.

3 Research

The TRIBE website and companion smartphone app form the central components of a research project aiming to help people with bipolar disorder to improve their symptoms and quality of life. Research conducted around this website includes comparing users' quality of life and other experiences and symptoms prior to and after having accessed the TRIBE website.

3.1 How we collect, store and use your information

The TRIBE website will be accessible via your username and password. The website will allow you to record information relating to your own wellness in order to personalise your experience of the website. For example, you might record details of your experiences using the suggested mindfulness practices. The website database will also record data on how often you logged on, and what proportion of materials you viewed. In order to produce a system suited to eventual dissemination, it will be necessary for the website database to record your name, email address (for recovery of username and password if forgotten), some medical details, and your doctor's contact details. It will also allow for optional recording of details for person to contact if we are unable to contact you. Given that these personally identifying details will be recorded, measures to ensure security are as follows:

Security of the website design will be overseen by the National eTherapy Centre (including its Executive and IT Management committees) in conjunction with Swinburne University Information Technology Project Management Office to ensure design is in accordance with best practice principles of web security and the Australian Privacy Principles (2014).

Access to the participant's profile will be password protected.

The degree of personally identifying data will be minimised, and the participant will be given the option of setting up a username under a pseudonym.

All personally identifying data will be encrypted.

4 Modification or Discontinuance

Swinburne exclusively reserves the right to, and may at any time and without notice and any liability to you, modify or discontinue this website and its services or delete the data you provide, whether temporarily or permanently. Swinburne has no responsibility or liability for the timeliness, deletion, failure to store, inaccuracy, or improper delivery of any data or information.

5 Security and Confidentiality

5.1 Security

NeTC does its best to protect the TRIBE website from security breaches by employing banking industry security features. NeTC has a security certificate, which means it complies with the security requirements of the certification authority. However, the provision of services through this website is subject to security risks inherent in any internet service. Whilst NeTC endeavours to ensure that your personal information is secure, it is not possible to safeguard against all possible breaches of security.

5.2 Privacy and Confidentiality

The information that we collect from you as part of this research project, including audio recordings of phone assessments, will be stored securely in the National eTherapy Centre (NeTC) at Swinburne University of Technology for a minimum period of seven years. Confidential information you provide during the assessments will be stored completely separately and there would be no way of this being accessed via this website. The website will be maintained with best practice security standards.

We expect that the findings from this project will be presented in scientific journals and at scientific conferences. Some data from this project may also be used for the purposes of a PhD thesis. In any publication, information will be provided in such a way that you cannot be identified, except with your permission.

Information about your participation in this research project may be recorded in your health records, as your treating doctor will be notified of your involvement in the project.

In accordance with relevant Australian and/or Victorian privacy and other relevant laws, you have the right to access the information collected and stored by the researchers about you. You also have the right to request that any information, with which you disagree, be corrected. Please contact the researcher named at the end of this document if you would like to access your information.

5.3 Limits to Confidentiality

The NeTC reserves the right to report to relevant authorities, such as the police or child protection authorities, situations where a client or associate of a client is judged to be at risk of self-harm, or of harming others, particularly if the risk is to a person under 17 years of age.

5.4 Communication of Information to Others

5.4.1 Professional Purposes

Where information is used for professional purposes, it may only be communicated to persons legitimately concerned with your case within the NeTC. Confidential information will only be disclosed in these circumstances where:

• your identity is concealed;

• your consent to the disclosure is obtained;

• the recipient of the information has been given prior notice of their privacy obligations in relation to the information; and,

• the recipient of the information has given an undertaking not to disclose the information to others.

5.4.2 Research

Where information is used for the purposes of research and publication, strict adherence will be had to the Policy on the Conduct of Research. If used for research and publication purposes, your information will be analysed in a de-identifiable form and dissemination of the results will not contain material capable of identifying you.

5.5 Feedback

Technical difficulties should be reported to Swinburne. These difficulties will be negotiated with you to ensure a fair outcome. Any feedback or comments regarding the TRIBE website should be directed to tribestudy@swin.edu.au.

6 Your Responsibilities

6.1 Age

Access and use of the TRIBE website is only permitted to persons 18 years or older. You are required to confirm during registration that you are 18 years or older.

6.2 Registration

In order to use the TRIBE website you must register, and agree to provide truthful information when requested. When registering, you agree to these Terms of Use.

6.3 Password

You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your password and shall be responsible for all uses via your registration and/or login, whether authorised or unauthorised by you. You agree to immediately notify us of any unauthorised use of your registration, user account or password.

6.4 Confidentiality of Your Data

You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of any data you download onto your computer.

Any information obtained in connection with this website that can identify you will remain confidential. It will only be disclosed with your permission, except as required or authorised by law.

6.5 Your Conduct

When using the TRIBE website, you have responsibility for utilising the website to your best benefit.

7 Investigation by the NeTC

The NeTC may take steps, if necessary, to investigate any violation of these Terms of Use, including the recording of any communications or materials in its services.